Extreme Sports Accidents

Specialists in extreme sports compensation claims

In recent years there has been a surge in the popularity of more extreme sports such as climbing, abseiling, diving, kayaking, bungee jumping and jet skiing. With these sports, the participant is usually completely reliant upon the equipment being used to ensure their own safety, and sometimes injuries are suffered because the equipment is faulty or has not been properly set up.

If the sport is part of an organised activity then it will often not be possible for the participant to check the safety of the equipment being used. The specialist nature of the sport is also likely to mean that the average person would not know how to carry out the safety checks required.

Extreme sports can now be experienced by those with no previous experience, meaning the initial safety briefing is the only opportunity the participant will have to be made aware of the potential risks of the sport involved. Whilst some injuries are undoubtedly an acceptable risk of engaging in often challenging physical activities with several other people, some people are unfortunate enough to suffer injuries that cannot just be put down to the rough and tumble of the particular sporting activity.

It is therefore entirely fair that the climber who falls due to inadequate equipment or the jet skier that crashes because they have not been properly trained to ride a jet ski is entitled to compensation for their injury and other losses resulting from the accident.

Similar principles apply to organised adventure and leisure activities, from go-karting and paint-balling to fairground attractions and theme park roller coasters. The participant may have little or no aptitude or training and will be reliant on the organisers to train or instruct him properly and to provide the correct equipment in good order.

Extreme sports injuries can happen both in the UK and abroad, and if your accident occurred while on holiday or as part of an organised activity overseas, you may still be entitled to compensation. Our specialists can advise you on your rights and help you bring an accident abroad claim, whether the incident took place in Europe or further afield.

How Much Compensation Can I Claim For an Extreme Sports Injury?

The value of any extreme sports injury claim will depend on the how serious the injury is and its effect on your life. How much you are entitled to depends on your specific circumstances. To calculate the right amount, your personal injury lawyer will need to know your injury, its severity and its effect on your life. They will assess every aspect of your experience to make sure you are fully compensated.

Extreme sports injury client story

Ms R worked for a law firm. The firm put together a team for a corporate sailing day in the Solent and Ms R was on the team. She was properly trained and instructed and out on the water the event was going well. Then as she walked across from one side of the sailing boat to the other she was hit in the head by part of a mast and was knocked unconscious. She sustained a nasty scar on her forehead that was visible and permanent. A sports injury claim was submitted to the boat company because the mast had become loose and dangerous and if they had any system of inspection and repair in place they would have noticed and rectified the problem. They admitted liability and the claim was settled for about £5000 in damages.

Common extreme sports injuries we see

Extreme sports combine speed, height, water, equipment dependency and a high consequence-of-error rate. When operator negligence is involved, the injuries are rarely minor.

Catastrophic falls. Climbing, parkour, bouldering, abseiling and high ropes falls cause spinal cord damage, brain injury and multiple fractures. Where the operator failed to inspect anchors, ropes or harnesses, or where instruction was inadequate, liability is usually clear.

Equipment failure injuries. Failed harnesses, faulty parachute deployments, snapped climbing ropes and defective wetsuits or buoyancy aids cause some of the most serious injuries we deal with. Equipment supplied by an operator must be inspected, maintained and certified; missing records destroy the operator’s defence.

Drowning and near-drowning. Surfing, kitesurfing, white-water and free diving accidents cause hypoxic brain injury, lung damage and fatalities. Inadequate safety cover, failed buoyancy equipment or unsuitable conditions for the group’s ability all feature in our claims.

Hypothermia and exposure. Mountain, sea and cold-weather sports can leave participants stranded in conditions that cause severe hypothermia, frostbite and death. Operators have a duty to assess weather, monitor participants and abort when conditions deteriorate.

Collision injuries. Mountain biking, downhill skating, motocross and bobsleigh accidents cause high-velocity blunt trauma: head injuries, multiple fractures and crush injuries. Course design, signage and supervision are operator responsibilities.

Spinal cord injury. Diving into shallow water, BMX and skateboard impacts and high-speed crashes account for the spinal cord injuries we see in this category. Outcomes range from temporary paralysis to permanent tetraplegia.

Multiple fractures and amputations. Crashes at speed, equipment ejections and falls from height routinely produce multiple long-bone fractures and, in severe cases, amputations. These are catastrophic claims requiring specialist rehabilitation evidence.

Instructor and supervision negligence. Many of our extreme sports claims succeed on the basis that the instructor took the group beyond their ability, ignored a known risk or skipped a safety briefing. The duty of care owed by adventure operators is high.

Injured in an Extreme Sport? Get the compensation you deserve

At Osbornes Law, we understand the thrill of extreme sports and the risks involved. If you’ve suffered an injury while participating in an extreme sport, you may be entitled to compensation. Our expert solicitors are here to guide you through the claims process and secure the best possible outcome. Contact us today for a consultation. Call 020 7485 8811 or fill in the contact form below.